002. The Performance

RAINA.

I stood frozen against the wall for what felt like hours but was probably only seconds. Teddy had returned to Castor's side, his hand resting on my husband's shoulder with disgusting familiarity.

"Now," Castor said, checking his watch like nothing had happened, "we have the Cameron Foundation event tonight. Red carpet at eight. You need to get ready."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I said, finding my voice.

His eyes narrowed. "Yes, you are. And you're going to smile and tell everyone how happy you are. How blessed you feel to be married to me. Do you understand?"

"No."

He pulled out his phone and showed me a picture. It was my mother's restaurant, thriving, full of customers. Then he swiped to another photo. Documents. Legal documents.

"One phone call, Raina. One phone call and I foreclose on everything. Your mother will lose her life's work. Your brother will pulled out of college. Your family will be homeless by morning."

I felt trapped. Like the walls were closing in on me.

"I hate you," I whispered.

"I don't care. Be ready in an hour. Wear the blue dress I bought you. The one with the diamonds." He turned back to Teddy. "We'll finish this later, baby."

I ran from the room, my red lingerie feeling like it was burning my skin. I could hear Teddy laughing behind me. The sound followed me all the way to my room.

I ripped off the lingerie and threw it in the trash. Then I sat on my bed and cried. Deep, body-shaking sobs that hurt my chest. Everything was a lie. Every sweet word, every promise, every kiss on my forehead. All of it was fake.

But I didn't have time to fall apart. Not yet.

I forced myself to shower again, washing off the perfume I'd applied for him. I did my makeup with shaking hands, covering the red around my eyes. Then I put on the blue dress he'd demanded. It was beautiful and expensive, and I hated it.

When I came downstairs, Castor was waiting in a perfect tuxedo. He looked handsome, successful, like the perfect husband. Nobody would ever guess what I'd just seen him doing.

"Beautiful," he said but the word was empty. "Remember, Raina. You're happy. You're in love. You're grateful."

The car ride was silent. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. My chest felt hollow, like someone had reached in and pulled out my heart.

When we arrived at the event, hundreds of photographers were waiting. The flashes were blinding.

"Smile," Castor whispered, his hand tight on my waist.

I smiled. It felt like my face might crack.

"Castor! Raina! Over here!"

We posed. His arm around me. My hand on his chest. The perfect couple.

"You look stunning tonight, Mrs. Rowland!" a reporter called out.

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice somehow steady.

"How's married life treating you?"

Castor squeezed my waist, a warning.

"It's wonderful," I lied. "Every day is like a dream come true."

"You're such a beautiful couple! Castor, how did you get so lucky?"

My husband laughed, warm and charming for the cameras. "I ask myself that every day. Raina is my angel. My salvation. I don't know what I'd do without her."

I wanted to scream. To tell them all the truth. But I thought of my mother, my brother, and kept smiling.

Inside the venue, it was worse. We sat at the head table, accepting congratulations from everyone. Judges, businessmen, other politicians. They all wanted to shake Castor's hand and tell me how lucky I was.

"Your husband is going to be governor someday," an older woman told me. "You must be so proud."

"So proud," I repeated numbly.

Castor gave a speech about family values. About the importance of traditional marriage. About how his sweet wife had made him a better man. Everyone applauded. Some people even had tears in their eyes.

I sat there dying inside, clapping along with everyone else.

During desert, a young reporter approached our table with a camera crew.

Mr. and Mrs. Rowland, could we have a quick interview for Channel 6?"

"Of course," Castor said, pulling me closer.

The camera light was bright in my face.

"Mrs. Rowland, your husband is running on a platform of family values. What's that like for you as his wife?"

I could feel Castor's hand tightening on my shoulder.

"It's amazing," I said, the words like ash in my mouth. "Castor truly believes in the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family. He shows me every day what a devoted husband looks like."

"And would you encourage people to vote for him?"

"Absolutely. He's honest, caring, and dedicated. These state needs more men like my husband."

"You two seem so in love. What's your secret?"

"Castor answered this time. "No secrets. Just complete honesty and trust. Right, darling?"

"Right," I agreed, wanting to die.

The interview felt like it lasted forever, but it was probably only five minutes. Five minutes of lies upon lies.

As soon as the camera was off, I excused myself to the bathroom. I locked myself in a stall and pressed my hands over my mouth to muffle the scream that wanted to escape.

When I returned to the table, Castor was on his phone.

"Yes, get them ready," he was saying in hushed whispers, but loud enough for me to hear. "The blue pills, yes. Make sure they're nice and wild before I get there. I'll be done here in an hour."

He hung up and looked at me. "The driver will take you home. Don't wait up."

"You're leaving? To go to...them?"

"Business meeting," he said with a cruel smile. "Very important business."

He stood up, kissed my cheek for the benefit of anyone watching, and whispered in my ear, "Remember, five years. Play your part."

Then he was gone, glad-handing his way through the crowd, leaving me alone at a table full of strangers who thought I had the perfect life.